Summer festivals + local spotlights 🌞

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Queen Street Parkade redevelopment

➡️ Cab fares going up

➡️ Pinballorama celebrates one year

QUICK HITS

🙋‍♂️ Housing development goes to public meeting: The public had a chance to learn more about a proposed housing development on Mount Edward Road that would add 464 housing units over the next 10-12 years. Charlottetown council held a public meeting Tuesday to give residents a chance to ask questions, only three people took the opportunity. Concerns raised had more to do with the public consultation process and parking requirements in general, not specific to the project. If approved, the developer anticipates starting construction on one of four townhouses along Mount Edward Road next fall. Once the townhouses are built, focus would then shift to four six-storey apartment buildings behind Canadian Tire.

⛽ Many oppose new Borden gas station: More than 190 comments from the public have been received by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission related to an application for a new petroleum outlet license in Borden-Carleton. The application, submitted for D.P. Murphy, shows a plan (700 kb PDF) to construct an 8,500-sq.-ft gas station, complete with a Tim Horton’s, on the corner of Trans-Canada Highway and Dickie Road, just before the intersection leading to Confederation Bridge. I reviewed about half of the public comments, all were against the project, citing concerns that the viability of nearby businesses would be jeopardized. The public has until July 28 to submit a comment.

🏗️ O’Leary searching for land developer: O’Leary is looking for proposals to purchase and develop a chunk of land in the town’s southwest corner. The request for proposals does not stipulate the type of development envisioned for the 6.17 acre parcel of land, but it borders an established residential neighbourhood behind Centennial Drive and is currently zoned R3 for multiple family residential. Under the town’s development bylaw, apartment buildings of up to 12 units can be built within an R3 zone. The deadline for proposals is August 4.

🚕 Cab fares going up: The cost to catch a cab in Charlottetown is about to go up. Charlottetown council read an amendment to the city’s taxi bylaw at July’s regular monthly meeting to increase taxi fares by $1 for each of the city's six taxi zones. Once adopted, the base fare for a taxi ride will range from $8.50 to $18. This fare increase follows a previous adjustment in 2022 when taxi fares were also raised by $1.

⚒️ Council approves demolition of derelict property: The owner of 282 University Avenue will need to come up with a plan to fix the building or else the city will rip it down. Charlottetown council voted on a resolution to demolish the building, which experienced a fire in 2017 and was recently deemed uninhabitable by the city’s chief building official, who also recommended that it should be demolished as soon as possible. A report by city staff details the timeline leading up to Monday’s vote. Councillor Bob Doiron attempted to defer the matter to give the owner more time to come up with a plan. The deferral was defeated, but council did agree to give the owner a maximum of six weeks to present a plan before demolition will begin.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Time ticking for aging parkade 🚘

Charlottetown wants to see Queen Street Parkade redeveloped, but is looking for a developer to bring an imagination and deep pockets to the table.

Two structural assessments of the parkade since 2016 have revealed an $8M to $10M cost to refurbish the aging structure. Built in 1979, the 338-stall garage is now being shored up with temporary posts (yikes!). The city would like to see a mixed-use development on the site that maintains the current parking capacity.

A request for expression of interest launched last week with the goal of finding up to three developers who would then be invited to compete for the project under a request for proposals. The city would retain ownership of the land, but would enter into a long-term lease with the successful bidder. Projects that require upfront money or operating grants from the city will not be considered.

The city would like to move fast on this project, saying the design stage would need to start immediately following the RFP process this fall. The garage will remain open until a project is awarded and a construction schedule approved.

📢 SHOUT-OUTS 

🎮 To Seven's Pinballorama on celebrating one year in business. There’ll be an open house this Saturday from 11AM to 12:30PM. This is your chance to check this gem out if you haven’t already, it’s a throwback!

🏠 To the Island’s seasonal residents who continue to share Island Edition far and wide - thank you! If PEI is your home away from home, consider joining the Seasonal Residents of PEI Association.

🐶 To the proprietors of Rugged Green Farms, a new Island business producing freeze dried dog treats. Baxter and Digby approve of your entrepreneurial aspirations. I believe Blue Ribbon Pet Supply will carry their products, we found them at the Queen Street Market.

#PEIslandEdition

Aerobatic show over Charlottetown 🛩️

Thank you to photographer John Morris and the City of Charlottetown for sharing this photo of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds as the squadron put on a show over the city’s waterfront Sunday afternoon. The Snowbirds also treated crowds in the Cavendish area on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This past weekend was the first time the Snowbirds have performed on PEI since 2018.

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #PEIslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

COMMUNITY CORNER

🌠 We Are Young, a Halifax-based charity that works to grant unfulfilled wishes for seniors in Atlantic Canada, is accepting nominations. Visit the charity’s website if you would like to submit an application for yourself or to nominate a friend or relative. Wishes are granted to seniors who are 70+ years young.

🔁 A FreeCycle market and community day will be held this Saturday, July 15 from 10AM to 5PM at Rochford Square. Stop by for a BBQ, music, groceries, artwork and more. Donations of working items for the market are being accepted by dropping them off at the market. Visit Charlottetown Mutual Aid’s event listing on Facebook for more information.

🎤 A UPEI student is asking PEI residents to submit their ideas worth spreading for PEI’s first TEDx event. Nominations for speakers must be in before midnight on Monday, July 17. UPEI has issued a press release with more information, including a link to the nomination form. TEDx Charlottetown is tentatively scheduled for October 13.

Send a quick message if your organization would like to publish a PSA. There's no charge for these. Max three per-issue.

WEATHER

Wednesday

🌤️ H 26°C 🌡️ L 18°C 🥵 34°C

💨 S 11 km/h, gusting 28

Thursday

☀️ H 28°C 🌡️ L 19°C 🥵 36°C
💨 SE 15 km/h, gusting 22

Looking Ahead

👀 Plenty of sunshine over the next few days. It will feel low- to -mid-30s with the humidity 🥵 into the top of next week.

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